What You Need To Know About Mold Growth

There are a few words that can strike panic into the hearts of homeowners and landlords, and among them ‘mold’ is high on the list. Why do they panic about mold growth? The reason is simple. Molds can not only lead to respiratory issues and other health problems, but can also lead to incredibly expensive mold remediation and reduced property values. In extreme cases, homes have literally been condemned because of mold.

It’s a major issue in Maryland, too. Thanks to the high monthly rainfall totals and the large amount of moisture generated from the spring thaw, basements walls and foundations in the area are constantly being assaulted by water. Here at AA Action Waterproofing, we’ve found that many of our clients don’t fully understand everything about mold growth or what they can do about it. It’s time to change that.

Mold grows in areas that are damp and cool. In other words, basements are a perfect habitat. The health risks come not from the mold, but from the spores it produces. The spores enter the air of the home, circulate throughout it, and are breathed by residents. This in turn triggers allergies, respiratory illness, and more. It’s even worse in the very young, very old, or sick, and can become a major health risk.

There are a few options you have to fight against mold growth. These include:

Prevention – The best option is simply to prevent the growth of mold from ever occurring at all. This is accomplished by taking steps like waterproofing your basement and ensuring that there are no leaking pipes in it. By blocking the moisture entirely, you eliminate the creation of the habitat that mold thrives in. It’s usually a much cheaper option to waterproof a basement than it is to take mold removal steps.

Self-Cleaning – For mild mold growth, you might be able to eliminate the issue on your own by scraping away mold and scrubbing walls and other areas with strong cleaners. But this can be dangerous to do, and missing a single area could mean that the mold will return. And, you’ll still have to take waterproofing steps in order to prevent the return of the mold.

Professional Remediation – Professional mold remediation services like ours will completely eliminate the mold in your home and ensure that it doesn’t return – as long as you waterproof the basement to ensure the conditions don’t come back. This is a step worth taking if you don’t want to handle the mold growth on your own or if it’s already out of control.

Obviously, any Maryland homeowner needs to begin by waterproofing their basement and working towards preventing any mold growth. Prevention is cheaper and gives you peace of mind, and as such it’s the best path to take. But if mold growth occurs, it’s good to know your other options.